Australia's leading bowel cancer charity and the country's peak professional body for colorectal surgeons are working together to give a stronger, local voice to bowel cancer.

The collaboration between Bowel Cancer Australia and the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ) will boost bowel cancer awareness and education through greater 'on the ground' resources.

Julien Wiggins, chief executive, Bowel Cancer Australia said the collaboration combines the strengths of two different bowel cancer organisations to deliver greater community benefits.

"Bowel Cancer Australia has a range of programs and activities in place to increase awareness and educate people on bowel cancer. We're realistic about how much there is still to do and that needs resources – both people and funds," he added.

Dr Andrew Luck, President of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand said his organisation has the people to assist the charity in further communication of essential bowel cancer messages.

"Whether it's speaking to the media on new research or talking to a community group about the importance of bowel cancer screening, we can provide the specialists working at the coalface of this disease," said Dr Luck.

"The other benefit is that wherever possible, we will aim to provide a local spokesperson – someone who is a part of that community, who understands the local challenges and the local environment."

Associate Professor Graham Newstead, AM, Past President of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand, and Chairman of the Awareness Board, Bowel Cancer Australia said he was delighted the two organisations would be working together.

"We're dealing with the second biggest cancer killer of Australians and we need to be smart about how we do that. This is a collaboration that complements rather than duplicates the work of two groups passionate about reducing the impact of bowel cancer on our community," he added.